I have recently returned home after spending a week with
Grizedale Arts in the Lake District. The week was highly
enjoyable and a unique experience. From the first day I spent my
time working on a range of tasks, such as feeding the pigs/geese,
cutting down holly for the Christmas decorations and cooking apple
pies for a village meal. A less successful task was my attempt at
unblocking a drain in an icy puddle which confirmed my fears that
my southern roots where not made of tougher stuff! Informing
friends of my recent activities, there seemed to be a consenting
confusion and an asking of ‘Why? ‘. My answer, which I can say more
confidently in retrospect of my stay, was ‘Why not’.

Art comes in many different shapes, sizes and pretentious prices
and thus Grizedale comes as a refreshing change as an organization
that is concerned with the little things that help a community
sustain and grow, as well as maintaining a respected presence in
the big, bad art world.

I left Grizedale with a clearer and stronger understanding of
art’s relationship with society, however my plumbing skills,
sadly are yet to be improved.